12+ Ways to Make Back to School Easier on the Entire Family

Back to school time is in full swing from what I see on Social Media. Lucky for my family we don't start school until after Labor Day.




So, in an attempt to make my life (and hopefully help you out) easier in the coming weeks as school starts.

PS this roundup was made using ONLY links from the Creative Exchange Link Party.  It starts every Thursday morning early (3 am mountain time).  Plus, you gain exposure on 5 different blogs.  That means 5 chances for you to be featured, and a lot more exposure for your time!  So make sure to stop by Thursday and enter your blog links! Can't wait to see you there!

First off.  Homework.  Everyone dreads it right?  How about being able to keep track of what needs to go on which day with this weekly calendar board from Making it in the Mountains:

What about all those back to school clothes you need? How about taking a pattern you already have in your stash and creating a few unique clothes like Boy Oh Boy oh Boy Crafts did for her son

Or what about breakfast. If you are like me and my daughter its a fight every morning to get her to eat breakfast, but I won't let her walk out that door unless she does. So here are a couple great ideas for simple, easy, HEALTHY, and quick breakfast.

2 Ingredient Banana Pancakes with Satisfaction through Christ

Or scrambled eggs in a mug that is easy enough for your kids to make them all by themselves with Chic California

What about after school. Every kid needs a snack by Blooming Homestead (plus don't the parents too?!? PS After School Snack time is a great time to reconnect with your school age kid and find out how their day was...)

Or even a sweet snack.  Who doesn't like a little cookie after school.  I know I do!  A little celebration that we've made it through another day

Try these yummy crab cookies of Mice and Ramen

or these marshmallow fruity treats by lovefoodwillshare.com

Does your child have a little anxiety with back to school. Maybe doing a little teacher interview might help by homemade Interest!

Are you on the PTO or are you Homeschooling? This bulletin board is to die for by the Gilded Pear!

Or how about giving your childs teacher a cute little stamp set to start the year off on the right foot by Casual Craftlete

My inlaws like to measure all the grandkids at the beginning of the school year. Its a fun way to see how your kid has grown each year (and to compare to each other) by Shambray

What about those poor not school age kids. I know my 2 year old is going to bored out of her mind without her sisters here to entertain her. What about making a cute little indoor tent by the Gilded Pear?

If you are looking for ideas on helping your kids with homework and progress their learning you might be interested in My School and Learning pinterest board

Decorating On a Budget Ideas plus The Creative Exchange Link Party Highlights

I haven't had a chance to do any features the last 2 weeks of The Creative Exchange, but I thought I would combine a few of my favorites from the last 3 weeks into 1 and do a little Home Decorating Ideas on a Budget Roundup.

  Song Chalkboard Printable is a great way to update your home decor on a budget.  

Or update a piece of furniture with a new coat of paint like this Stylish Side Table Makeover with Chalk Paint

Add some cute coasters to your side table like these DIY Striped Coasters

Or add a new piece of furniture from something old like the Country Kitchen Island

Update your lighting with a new DIY Hanging Lampshade

Or add a new piece of wall art like the Hello Sunshine String Art

Upcycle some old Thrift Store Frames with a little chalkboard paint

Take a cheap Canvas and turn it into some beautiful wall art

Create a Wall of Scrabble Board Tiles

A Simple Paint job and Handles to Create a New Look

Create a Changeable Picture Board

Giant Flashcards Wall Art (knock off Of Pottery Barn)

Or Create a removable wallpaper wall with Fabric

If you can't find the exact fabric you are wanting try creating your own with a little fabric paint

Or use your old fabric scraps to create some fabric art

Update a old chair or stepstool into a piece of art

Take some buttons and burlap and create a beautiful piece of wall art

 For more Home Decor Ideas please visit my Home Decor Pinterest Board:




Or for Wall Art:

S'mores Inspired Recipes and This Weeks Highlights from the Creative Exchange

Thanks to everyone that stopped by this weeks The Creative Exchange Link Party. This week I am going to do the highlights a little differently, because there were so many fun Smore's inspired recipes. So this week the highglights are all about Smore's!

So here are your 20+ Smore's Inspired Recipes for the Unconventional:

 Nutter Butter S'mores by Craftsalamode

 Strawberry Dipped S'mores by Little Dove Creations

 Gourmet S'mores by Time for Season

S'mores for the Grownup by Sweet Southern Blue

Plus, make sure to stop by my S'mores Pinterest board for a ton more ideas on making S'mores a little interesting!



And speaking of Pinterest...do you follow the Creative Exchange Link Party Pinterest Board?